Merlin Entertainments has partnered with Global Zhongjun to build and operate a more than full-scale LEGOLAND Resort in Sichuan Province in Western China.
Due to open to the public in 2023, LEGOLAND Sichuan, which will be operated by Merlin, will have two highly-themed LEGOLAND Hotels, with approximately 500 rooms, and will be the largest LEGOLAND in the world. Global Zhongjun is a joint venture between development companies Zhongjun Beijing and The Chengdu Global Century – Exhibition & Travel Group (ETG).
LEGOLAND Sichuan is set to be located in Tianfu New Area, Meishan, approximately 60km from Chengdu. John Jacobsen said: “We call it Sichuan because it is in the province of Sichuan in China. But it’s very close to the city of Chengdu; just to the south. It is one of the big metropolitan areas of China. We think it is a natural location.
Again, there are several factors that need to come together. One is the market dynamics. We need to make sure that it has enough population base, tourist base, and so on to support the type of development that we do, and that the Lego brand has penetrated well enough, purchasing power is where it should be, and so on.
